Compare Victoza (Liraglutide) with Alternatives: What Works Best for Weight Loss and Diabetes

When you’re managing type 2 diabetes or trying to lose weight, Victoza (liraglutide) might have been recommended to you. It’s not a magic pill - but it’s one of the most studied drugs in its class. Still, it’s not the only option. And if you’ve been on it for a while, you might be wondering: is there something better? Maybe cheaper. Maybe easier. Maybe with fewer side effects.

What Victoza Actually Does

Victoza contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. That’s a fancy way of saying it mimics a hormone your body naturally makes after eating. This hormone tells your pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar rises, slows down digestion so you feel full longer, and reduces appetite. It’s approved for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management - but at different doses.

For diabetes, the usual dose is 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg injected once daily. For weight loss, the dose is higher: 3.0 mg. That’s the same active ingredient as Saxenda, which is marketed only for weight loss. So technically, Saxenda is Victoza at a higher dose - same drug, different branding, different price.

Why People Look for Alternatives

People stop Victoza for a few real reasons:

• Cost - it can run over $1,000 a month without insurance in the U.S., even with coupons
• Side effects - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain are common at first
• Inconvenience - daily injections aren’t for everyone
• Limited effectiveness - some people don’t lose enough weight or control blood sugar well enough

That’s why alternatives matter. Not because Victoza is bad - but because your needs might change. Or your budget might not stretch.

Top Alternatives to Victoza

There are now several GLP-1 medications on the market. Here’s how the most common ones stack up.

Let’s break down what this means in real life.

Wegovy and Ozempic: The New Heavy Hitters

Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide - a stronger version of liraglutide. They’re injected once a week instead of daily. That alone makes them easier for many people to stick with.

Studies show people on Wegovy lose an average of 15% of their body weight in a year. That’s more than double what most people lose on Victoza. Ozempic, while approved only for diabetes, is often prescribed off-label for weight loss - and results are similar.

The catch? Both cost more than Victoza. Insurance often covers them for diabetes, but weight loss use is still a battle in many plans. In Australia, Ozempic is listed on the PBS for type 2 diabetes, but Wegovy is not yet approved for weight loss under the PBS.

Trulicity: The Gentle Alternative

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is another weekly shot. It’s less powerful than semaglutide, so weight loss is more modest - around 3-5% on average. But it’s also gentler on the stomach. People report less nausea than with Victoza or Ozempic.

If you’ve had trouble tolerating other GLP-1s, Trulicity might be a good middle ground. It’s also cheaper than Wegovy and Ozempic. In Australia, it’s PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes, so out-of-pocket costs are low for eligible patients.

Metformin: The Old Favorite

Metformin isn’t a GLP-1 agonist. It works differently - reducing sugar production in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity. It’s been used for over 60 years. It’s not as strong for weight loss as Victoza, but it’s still effective: most people lose 2-5% of their body weight over a year.

And here’s the big difference: it costs less than $50 a month. It’s taken as a pill, not an injection. Side effects are mostly digestive - bloating, gas, diarrhea - but they often fade with time.

Many doctors start with metformin before moving to injectables. If you’re newly diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, it’s still the first-line recommendation by the American Diabetes Association and the Australian Diabetes Society.

What About Other Options?

There are newer drugs like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Zepbound - which combine GLP-1 with GIP receptor agonism. These are even more effective for weight loss - up to 20% body weight loss in trials. But they’re brand new, expensive, and not yet widely available outside the U.S. In Australia, Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes but not yet for weight loss.

Oral GLP-1s are coming soon. In 2025, the first oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is available, but it’s less effective than injections and requires strict dosing rules (taken on an empty stomach with only a sip of water). It’s not a direct replacement for Victoza yet.

Which One Should You Choose?

There’s no single best option. It depends on your goals, your budget, and your tolerance.

• If you want the most weight loss and can afford it - Wegovy or Mounjaro are top choices.
• If you need diabetes control with moderate weight loss and want lower cost - Trulicity or Victoza work well.
• If you’re trying to avoid injections - metformin is still the gold standard.
• If you’re on a tight budget and can tolerate side effects - metformin or generic liraglutide (if available) are smart.

Also, don’t forget: these drugs work best with lifestyle changes. No injection replaces eating more vegetables, moving more, or sleeping better. The best results come from combining medication with habits.

What About Insurance and Access?

In Australia, Victoza, Trulicity, and Ozempic are on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for type 2 diabetes. That means you pay around $30 per script (or $7.70 with a concession card). But weight loss use is not covered - so if you’re using Victoza for weight loss, you’re paying full price.

In the U.S., Medicare and private insurers often cover these drugs for diabetes, but weight loss use is frequently denied. Some patients use “off-label” prescriptions - like using Ozempic for weight loss - and pay out of pocket. Others switch to Saxenda if their plan covers it.

Always check with your pharmacy or insurer. Costs vary wildly. A $1,300 monthly drug can drop to $50 with the right program - if you know how to ask.

Side Effects: What to Expect

All GLP-1 drugs cause digestive side effects early on. Nausea is the most common. It usually fades after 2-4 weeks. Taking the dose slowly - starting low and increasing gradually - helps a lot.

More serious risks include:

• Pancreatitis (rare)
• Gallbladder disease
• Increased risk of thyroid tumors in rodents - no proven risk in humans, but people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer should avoid these drugs

Always talk to your doctor before starting or switching. Don’t stop suddenly - especially if you’re using it for diabetes. Stopping can cause blood sugar spikes.

Final Thoughts

Victoza is a solid drug. It’s been around long enough that we know how it works, who it helps, and who it doesn’t. But it’s no longer the only choice.

Wegovy and Ozempic offer better results for weight loss. Trulicity is gentler. Metformin is cheaper and still effective. And new options are on the horizon.

The key isn’t finding the "best" drug. It’s finding the one that fits your life - your budget, your schedule, your body, and your goals. Talk to your doctor. Ask about alternatives. And don’t assume the first option you’re given is the only one worth considering.